Approximately ten years ago, Prakash, a father and caretaker from Orissa, was tending to his livestock when the tip of a cow's tail smacked him across the face. The swipe cut through the tissue of his left eye causing an infection. Within two months, and without any injurious provocation, the infection spread to his right eye as well.
None of the medications from the local chemist helped. Prakash was vaguely able to identify colors, but faces were a blurry shadow, and he was no longer able to see at night. He could hardly work, often tripping and dropping things. This put his job in constant jeopardy. Gradually his condition worsened. Prakash could no longer go to the fruit and vegetable market by himself. He needed his wife to help him buy provisions for the family. Venturing out on her own was a problem for his wife as well. It was against tradition for her to move outside the confines of her garden, which was patrolled by his mother and other members of the family. Every time she stepped through the archway that connected her world to the neighborhood, she risked being perceived as a woman "roaming" around the village.
A friend told Prakash's wife about Bhubaneswar's L.V. Prasad Eye Hospital, a SightLife partner. She encouraged Prakash to get the corneal transplant, but he refused. He was terrified that if the surgery failed he might be worse off than before. When the hospital called to give him a date for surgery, he didn't follow through. Upon hearing that Prakash had passed on an opportunity to regain his vision, his wife grabbed her phone and called the eye bank right back. They had the future of their lovely twelve-year- old daughter to think about. Prakash's wife assured them her husband would be there for the surgery, no matter what.
Prakash was gripped with fear about making this life-changing journey to LVP. What would happen if he lost his sight completely? He agonized over who would take care of his family, particularly since his wife was confined to their home and garden. After the surgery was over, his fears were put to rest. Prakash was very emotional as he described seeing the faces of his wife and daughter clearly for the first time in ten years. Now he could thread a needle, see the food on his plate, walk through the village and buy fruits and vegetables on his own.
Thanks to the success of his surgery, Prakash strolls effortlessly through the village, saying hello to friends. He can relax and play cards with the other fellows after work. His newfound confidence has made life happier for the whole family, and he gives all the credit to the persistence of his beloved wife. Most of all, he feels like a man who is fully capable of supporting his own family without worrying that he could eventually become a burden to them.
Please support people like Prakash
SightLife is working hard to help people like Prakash and we invite support from people who want to join us to eliminate corneal blindness in India by 2020. All money raised towards our work in India is doubled by a private foundation in America. To make a gift for people like Manoj, or to find our more about our work, please contact:
James Newell, UK Development Lead:
[email protected] 0207 566 3635
SightLife UK, c/o Kingston Smith LLP, Devonshire House, 60 Goswell Road, London, EC1M 7AD
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We may contact you prior to your donation to enquire about gift aid eligibility.
